Full disclosure: We won’t have boots on the ground in Ashburn, Va., for this OTA, so we’ll rely on Commanders beat reporters like Nicki Jhabvala, John Keim, JP Finlay, Zach Selby, Scott Abraham and Ben Standig to be our eyes, ears and question askers. Follow those respected reporters if you don’t already.
The Commanders offseason program has reached a higher gear. It revved up last week, with OTAs formally starting at the team’s training facility in Ashburn, VA. We all saw videos of the new-look Commanders working
out for the first time in a while, with a healthy quarterback in Jayden Daniels and some big-ticket defensive free agents.
Terry McLaurin was out there catching passes. Even left tackle Laremy Tunsil showed up, a rarity during voluntary portions of the offseason program. We heard from Daniels, head coach Dan Quinn, cornerback Mike Sainristil and many more last week.
We’ll get another glimpse of the Commanders spring work on Tuesday, when another open OTA session takes place.
Let’s go over three new things to keep an eye on this week as the offseason program advances. Before we do, here’s a pro tip: Don’t make too much off all these practice clips of nice catches and big plays. There are no pads and no contact this time of year. So, while it’s fine to get amped about the 2026 Commanders, let’s not extrapolate great truths from 10 second snippets.
Deal? Deal.
Now on to three new things to keep an eye on during this open OTA practice
Chig Okonkwo and Commanders TEs
Washington general manager Adam Peters went big acquiring Zach Ertz’s successor. He invested $27 million over three years in tight end Chig Okonkwo, who flashed dynamic playmaking abilities during four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. His stats won’t wow you but his game tape will, illustrating the versatility and athleticism that should allow him to thrive in David Blough’s offense.
If it’s anything like Ben Johnson’s scheme in Chicago, and there’s reason to think it will be, Blough will value tight ends in the pattern. We should expect multiple tight end sets, possible in 13 personnel that has come in vogue lately.
Watch out for Okonkwo building chemistry with Daniels but make sure to watch for info on how John Bates and Ben Sinnott are doing and growing within the scheme. The Commanders have a solid tight end group, and it’ll be interesting to see how Blough will use them in 2026.
David Blough on the mic
New offensive coordinator David Blough is expected to address the media on Tuesday, the first time in a while that he has spoken publicly. Don’t expect him to give away trade secrets or much of anything regarding how his scheme will work, but anything about offensive philosophy or play-calling strategy or how he’ll work with Jayden Daniels could be a piece of the puzzle as we figure out over time how the Commanders offense will look in 2026.
Blough is as important to Washington’s offensive success, and any insight he provides about his workflow and his will be something to note as we move forward.
Frankie Luvu’s fit
Veteran interior linebacker Frankie Luvu has some new teammates this season. Bobby Wagner is gone. Free-agent signing Leo Chenal and No. 7 overall NFL draft pick Sonny Styles have joined him.
The presence of those two has created questions regarding Luvu’s role and playing time in Daronte Jones’ defense. On-site reporters mentioned that Luvu was wearing the green dot as on-field defensive play caller during last week’s OTAs. It could go to Styles or Chenal (or safety Nick Cross) in the future, but it was a positive sign about his involvement in the defense and that he’s clearly picking up the scheme.
Will he be an every-down player in 2026? That seems doubtful, but it’s ultimately uncertain. Jones has skilled options at linebacker and has options with how to deploy them in coverage and as roving defensive chess pieces. Luvu is one and can still be impactful if used the right way.
